ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton has the early salary-cap projections for 2013.

Keep in mind, these are raw numbers before any roster cuts are made. These numbers are subject to change when teams begin making transactions.

But here is where each AFC East team’s cap currently stands:

Buffalo Bills: $20.6 million under Miami Dolphins: $35.8 million under New England Patriots: $18.6 million under New York Jets: $19.4 million over

Overall, the AFC East is doing well with the cap. The Dolphins are the major players from the division and one of the biggest in the NFL. Expect Miami to make some significant signings in free agency.

The New York Jets are the only team over the cap. The new general manager will have a lot of work to do. New York needs to get under the cap and provide enough space for free agents and its rookie class.

Look for the Jets to cut several veterans such as safety Eric Smith, offensive tackle Jason Smith and linebackers Bart Scott and Calvin Pace. New York also will be hard-pressed to re-sign starting safety LaRon Landry, tight end Dustin Keller and tailback Shonn Greene.

The Bills and Patriots are both in decent shape and most likely will make additional cuts to add more cap space.

The Patriots have that roster and still have 18.6m to work with? Insane.

We all saw the fall of the Jets coming... there was no way they could continue adding so many high priced veterans without it biting them... that time has come, and it feels so good.

We are in pretty good shape... can't wait to see how we work it.

Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:21 am

Phins Rock

Phinfever Global Moderator

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:28 amPosts: 7532Location: Massachusetts

Re: AFC East salary cap numbers

That number will drop to 47 million soon. Because of some technicality Jake Long is still under contract, and it only gets voided and subtracted from the cap in a few weeks.

Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:57 am

jammer

2013 Phinfever VIP Donor

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:10 pmPosts: 6514Location: Topsfield, MA

Re: AFC East salary cap numbers

IamPZ wrote:

The Patriots have that roster and still have 18.6m to work with? Insane.

We all saw the fall of the Jets coming... there was no way they could continue adding so many high priced veterans without it biting them... that time has come, and it feels so good.

We are in pretty good shape... can't wait to see how we work it.

The Pats also have Welker, Vollmer and I believe a few others at key positions who would chew up a lot of that cap.

Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:20 pm

Kev1321

2013 Phinfever VIP Donor

Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 3:56 pmPosts: 3292Location: MA.

Re: AFC East salary cap numbers

IamPZ wrote:

The Patriots have that roster and still have 18.6m to work with? Insane.

We all saw the fall of the Jets coming... there was no way they could continue adding so many high priced veterans without it biting them... that time has come, and it feels so good.

We are in pretty good shape... can't wait to see how we work it.

That number don't include Welker at 9 million and who ever else is a free agent Woodhead etc

Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:45 pm

degs

Phinfever Legend

Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:05 pmPosts: 2450Location: NSW, Australia

Re: AFC East salary cap numbers

Kev1321 wrote:

IamPZ wrote:

The Patriots have that roster and still have 18.6m to work with? Insane.

We all saw the fall of the Jets coming... there was no way they could continue adding so many high priced veterans without it biting them... that time has come, and it feels so good.

We are in pretty good shape... can't wait to see how we work it.

That number don't include Welker at 9 million and who ever else is a free agent Woodhead etc

They don't include any free agents on any teams.

Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:40 pm

Kev1321

2013 Phinfever VIP Donor

Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 3:56 pmPosts: 3292Location: MA.

Re: AFC East salary cap numbers

degs wrote:

Kev1321 wrote:

IamPZ wrote:

The Patriots have that roster and still have 18.6m to work with? Insane.

We all saw the fall of the Jets coming... there was no way they could continue adding so many high priced veterans without it biting them... that time has come, and it feels so good.

We are in pretty good shape... can't wait to see how we work it.

That number don't include Welker at 9 million and who ever else is a free agent Woodhead etc

They don't include any free agents on any teams.

Welker is looking for 12 to 15 million...That don't leave much cap room

Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:49 pm

FrustratedFinFan

Phinfever Legend

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:30 amPosts: 2822

Re: AFC East salary cap numbers

The Pats often seem to be able to negotiate contracts down...since playing for a winner is a lot nicer than going to Cleveland or Kansas City. Even if Welker or Woodhead goes, they will find some other role players to catch Brady's passes. Meanwhile, Darth Bellicheat has Mallett to groom to replace Brady someday. The machine probably won't miss a beat. Kind of like Indy....one down season and Peyton is replaced....poof! Miami still has not found a replacement for Marino. Tannehill is the new hopeful....but a lot of people felt that way about Henne and the others that preceded him.

_________________Philbin's countenance exudes confidence!1984 was so long ago...Will there ever be another rainbow?

Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:59 pm

Kev1321

2013 Phinfever VIP Donor

Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 3:56 pmPosts: 3292Location: MA.

Re: AFC East salary cap numbers

FrustratedFinFan wrote:

The Pats often seem to be able to negotiate contracts down...since playing for a winner is a lot nicer than going to Cleveland or Kansas City. Even if Welker or Woodhead goes, they will find some other role players to catch Brady's passes. Meanwhile, Darth Bellicheat has Mallett to groom to replace Brady someday. The machine probably won't miss a beat. Kind of like Indy....one down season and Peyton is replaced....poof! Miami still has not found a replacement for Marino. Tannehill is the new hopeful....but a lot of people felt that way about Henne and the others that preceded him.

After Branch left they had alot of trouble finding wr's(Caldwell)....They even lost a playoff game because of it againxt SD.....

A couple bad free agents and draft picks until they got Moss and Welker,